THE GATHERING IRELAND LOCAL COMMUNITY FUND

GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS

Introduction

The Gathering Ireland 2013 is a Government-led initiative which aims to deliver an additional 325,000 overseas visitors to Ireland which will generate an extra €170 million in revenue and create up to 3000 new jobs across every county in Ireland.

What is the purpose of the Gathering Ireland Local Community Fund?

The key objective of the Fund is to provide support to local and community Gathering event organisers and activities / projects which will drive international visitors to each county / city in the Republic of Ireland. The Fund is being administered by your local county council.

What Fund amounts are available?

Fund amounts will be for a minimum of €500 and a maximum of €2,500 and will be directly related to the number of overseas visitors1 that will be delivered.

The Fund awards scale will be as follows:

Fund Amount € Minimum Number of Overseas Visitors Required

€500 10€1000 20€1500 30€2000 40€2500 50

Who is eligible to apply?

It is open to groups or organisations who are organising Gatherings / activities in 2013. To be eligible for funding, the submission must:

Deliver a minimum of 10 incremental overseas visitors per €500 Fund awarded to the individual Gathering (where incremental overseas visitors are those additional visitors over and beyond those which would normally visit the county).

Demonstrate a capacity to deliver i.e. the Gathering Organiser(s) must provide evidence of and have a clear plan for tapping into international networks

Have the capability to promote the locality / county and provide a potential for media coverage

Contribute at a local level to the county’s calendar of Gathering events in relation to attracting overseas visitors and complement the national Gathering Ireland 2013 programme

Be uploaded on the Gathering Ireland website: www.thegatheringireland.com Be either a new Gathering / event which will take place in 2013 or an addition to an

existing event which is being expanded to specifically deliver incremental overseas visitors

There is no guarantee of funding for Gatherings which achieve the minimum eligibility criteria. The fund is limited and eligible applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis against the criteria above.

What types of Gatherings will be funded?

Various types of Gatherings will be considered for funding – it can include school reunions, sports clubs hosting overseas teams, music, cultural or business Gatherings involving overseas visitors. This list is by no means exhaustive. The key criterion is the ability of the proposed Gathering to attract overseas visitors to the county / locality. Priority will also be given to Gatherings which have emerged from the Gathering Ireland Community Meeting process.

What items and expenses are excluded from the fund?

1 Overseas visitors are those who travel from outside the island of Ireland.

Infrastructural / tourism development projects / capital costs for the county Festivals which have already received funding under the Fáilte Ireland

National or Regional Festivals Fund

Spend on alcoholic beverages, fines, penalty payments, legal cost, audit fees, financial consultancy fees and wages and salaries of consultants

In general the cost of items for resale are ineligible

How do I apply?

Only completed submissions received via the approved application form will be considered. The completed form must be sent to: William Morton, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Marine Road, County Dublin. or email wmorton@dlrcoco.ie In advance of submitting your application your Gathering event / activity needs to be uploaded on the website www.thegatheringireland.com

A signed version of the application must be sent by post or scanned in and then emailed (with the appropriate signature(s) of the organisers). If submitting in hard copy please send3 copies of the application. We advise groups to keep copies of all documentation submitted as we cannot be held responsible for any documentation that goes missing in transit. You may also submit accompanying additional documentation with your completed application form as appropriate.

Applications must be received in County Hall or Dundrum office by November 30th2012 at 5pm.

If I am successful how do I draw down the Fund?

A total of half of the Fund will be provided once approval has been Funded. The final payment will only be paid after the Gathering has taken place. In order to receive the final payment, the successful applicant must complete the Gathering Report Form (to be supplied by the county / city council) and provide the following:

Evidence that the event has taken place (e.g. photographic evidence) Receipts for the full costs Listing of overseas attendees and their country of origin

Funding not claimed by the agreed deadline will be cancelled.

How will I know if my group has been successful?

A list of all successful Fundees will be published on the city / county council website stating the name and date of the Gathering and the amount of Fund awarded.

Conditions attaching to the Fund Offer

Successful applicants will receive a Fund offer letter. The Fund offer letter will form the contract between the county council and the organiser and will detail all conditions and requirements.

Acknowledging and promoting the Gathering Ireland 2013

On receipt of funding the Gathering organiser must ensure that the Gathering is promoted as a Gathering Ireland 2013 activity. This will include using the logo in line with brand guidelines (available on the Gathering website at http://brand.thegatheringireland.com/login.php). It is also requested that successful applicants be willing to participate in promotional opportunities.

Key Timelines

Timeframe Closing date for receipt of applications November 30th2012Publication of Fund awards December 14th 2012

THE GATHERING IRELAND LOCAL COMMUNITY FUND

APPLICATION FORM

County / City Council you are applying for funding to:

APPLICANT DETAILS

Name of Applicant Group / Organisation

Address of Applicant / Organisation

NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS OF THE PERSON DEALING WITH THE APPLICATION

Name:

Telephone:

Email:

DETAILS OF PROPOSED GATHERING

Name of Gathering:

DatesLocation (s)Is the Gathering new or existing?

TARGET AUDIENCE

Who are you inviting to your Gathering?

(Please list groups, clubs, and associations as appropriate). If you have a listing please attach and include in your application).

How many overseas visitors are you inviting? (please insert a number)

How many overseas visitors do you estimate will attend? (please insert a number)

What country(ies) of origin will your target group come from?

Capacity to deliverDo you have contacts, connections that will facilitate this event occurring? (If so, please detail).

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR GATHERINGExplain the rationale for its existence and how it will support the Gathering Ireland 2013 initiative.(Keep to a maximum of 100 words max)

Has your Gathering received or applied for other sources of public funding? (please tick the appropriate box)

Yes No

If yes, please state the source and amount of funding.

Incomplete forms will NOT be considered

Disclaimer – please read carefully

It will be a condition of any application for funding under the terms and conditions of The Gathering Ireland Local Community Fund that the applicant has read, understood and accepted the following:

1. The Gathering Ireland 2013 or the County Council shall not be liable to the applicant or any other party, in respect of any loss, damage or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from:

a. The application or the subject matter of the application. b. The rejection for any reason of any application.

2. The Gathering Ireland 2013 or the County Council shall not be held responsible or liable, at any time in any circumstances, in relation to any matter whatsoever arising in connection with the administration of activities.

Declaration of Applicant(s)

We have read and understood the information and criteria applicable to the Fund and agree to comply in full therewith. I/we certify that all information provided in this application, and all information given in any documentation submitted in support of the application is truthful and accurate and that I have not applied to any other city / county council for funding for this Gathering. More than 1 group member must sign the application.

Signed: ______________________________Date: _________________

Name: (in block capitals):

__________________________________________________________

Signed: ______________________________Date: _________________

Name: (in block capitals):

__________________________________________________________

On behalf of: (organisation's name):

Closing Date for Applications is Friday, November 30th 2012 at 5pm